Anonymous wrote:I think a real in-depth aptitude test, rather than that one we took in high school that took 60 minutes, would be very useful. I am talking about the ones that take 6 hours over a couple of days and give you pages of feedback in different areas but no specific careers. But they do cost a good deal of money.

What exam is this and where would you take it?

I would encourage them to at least minor in business. I wish I had business knowledge for two reasons.

I would love to run my own business but I have no clue how to actually do that.

I know many people who took a job as an administrative assistant, which eventually led to a higher paying job within that company or agency. And there always seems to be a lot of administrative jobs out there. I wish I had those skills to get me in the door.

So, I would have them major in something that they are interested in, but minor in business. I wish I had done this. I was (and still am) interested in environmental science, so that was my major. I was advised to minor in Physical Science, so I did. that minor has been worthless to me. I am now trying to re-enter the workforce after raising my kids. Most of the jobs I see in my field require several years of experience or administrative skills. I have neither.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My parents really encouraged me to major in science. I tried. I'm just really, really average in science. No way was I ever going to make a name for myself doing something I was so mediocre at. I'm glad I didn't listen.

Wrong attitude. Not everyone is going to be famous (make a name for himself). Most people are average and will spend their careers as worker bees. Plenty of people in my company have science / engineering degrees from no-name universities, and they have perfectly satisfying, well-paying jobs even though they never rose into top management.

It was the right attitude for me. I wasn't interested in a stable job that I wasn't very good at. I wanted to be really good at something. For me, that was never going to be science.

OR ... you could let the "child" pick their own major without your influence. What "child" is in college anyway?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Things that have an immediate practical use.
All business degrees
Economics
Speech language and hearing science
Kinesiology
Landscape architecture
Foreign languages
Education

I would add Physician Assistant to this list. The demand remains high and the salary is excellent. Most PAs have a master's degree but it is an excellent academic investment. My cousin is a PA/Surgery and makes a mint not only in his present job but picking up additional work when he has the time.

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/physician-assistant-rankings

Also add Medical Informatics.

I have a Marketing Degree. I thought it was pretty useless. Got a graduate degree in something else and have been working in that field for a very long time. Marketing Degrees don't prepare you for much. I would not do it again or reommend it.

My nephew just came out of Michigan State with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. $60,000 starting salary at age 22. Not bad. His classes were tough. Really tough. Gotta be into that.